On spec: getting it published

Monday, April 3, 2017

By:

Deanne Sheldon-Collins

Speculative fiction is a popular genre, yet figuring out where to submit your work can be overwhelming, particularly if you’re an early or emerging author. Definitions of ‘speculative fiction’ vary, so I’ll clarify what I mean when I use the term here: writing that falls into the genres of fantasy, science fiction or horror. These encompass many subgenres, from alternate history to futuristic dystopia to supernatural mystery. Speculative genres are about possibility, whether rooted in the real world or completely removed from it. They often reflect current anxieties or preoccupations – climate fiction and space travel stories are on the rise, for example.